1

GOVERNMENT COLLEGE NEDUMANGAD, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

DRAMA CLUB 2019-2020

REPORT

COORDINATOR: Asha C

Assistant Professor

Department of English

2

GOVERNMENT COLLEGE NEDUMANGAD, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

REPORT OF THE DRAMA CLUB 2019-2020

‘Arangu’; the Drama Club of Govt College Nedumangad, Trivandrum achieved a remarkable

feat in 2020 by organising and staging a drama- a genuine home production. The members

of the Drama Club conducted creative workshops and practice sessions to craft a 25 minute

drama which addressed the issues of climate change and disasters caused by mindless

consumer capitalism.

Monthly Meetings and Practice Sessions

The Drama Club conducted its first meeting on 20/8/2019 where the members came

together and decided on the agenda and activities for the academic year. A core group was

constituted with Nidhin D (4th Semester B.A Mal), Midhu Krishnan, Anandhan , Shahina and

Aswanth as members. Monthly meetings were convened and minutes recorded. After the

script was crafted by the drama club coordinator, Smt Asha C, regular practice sessions were

organised. Daily sessions were organised from 3.30 to 4.30 pm along with occasional

weekend sessions.

Theatre workshop

3

A day long theatre workshop was organised on 18/01/2020. The members were given

training sessions on crafts and a special session on meditation and theatre techniques were

led by Sri. Abhijith .V.R, Yoga trainer and theatre personality. Acting sessions were led by

Smt. Asha. C. The workshop resulted in generating props and art works for the drama. A

Production Team headed by Amal S. S was constituted.

4

Inauguration and Staging of Drama

On 21st January 2020 the formal inauguration of the Club was done by the principal Dr.Thara

G S. The maiden staging of the drama “Kaalikam” was held in the college premise witnessed

by the whole campus. The drama performance was an astounding success.

Unveling the Arangu... Drama Club 2020

Inauguration of ‘Arangu’ by Principal Dr Thara G S

5

The drama had three acts with 21 actors and a technical crew of 10. The drama was written

and directed by Smt Asha C (Drama Club Coordinator), Chenda and music was set up by

Aravind Krishnan (Dept of History), the stage was set up by the team led by Amal S S ( Dept

of History), the art work was led by Nandu Lal (Dept of History) and the sound and power

team was led by Sarath (Dept of History).

The first act opens with the ‘Mala daivams’ of Puthumala and Kavalapaara descending on

the people ,lamenting on the onslaught of nature by the man –machine combo. The second

act showcases the ‘Grand Planet Shopping Expo’ led by Trump and his cheergirls, where the

earth is put up for sale along with the earth taming machinery. The final act brings Greta

Thunberg and activists challenging and deploring the marketing and exploitation of the

planet. The drama concludes with a song led by the ‘Mala Daivams’ invoking hope and

action for a green and sustainable future.

The Mala Daivams

6

The Grand Planet Shopping Expo

7

The souls of the departed

Extinction Rebellion

Evaluation : ‘The Green Theatre’

The Drama Club activities of the academic year 2019-20 saw active participation of all its

members. Hidden talents came to light and the members garnered exceptional

organisational and crafts skills. With very scarce resources at hand, the club generated

props and art through recycling and upgrading items available in and around the campus.

The green protocol was strictly adhered too. The Culture and Dharma of ‘Green Theatre’

was introduced to the campus. The members managed a spectacular show within the

constraints of a shoe-string budget.

8

Participation at the Intercollegiate Events.

The Arangu Drama Club participated in the intercollegiate Drama Festival “Anukriti”

conducted by The Women’s College, Thiruvananthapuram and the drama “Kaalikam”

bagged second prize in the competition. The theme of the drama as well as the performance

of the team was appreciated, and the drama drew exceptionally good reviews.

At ‘Anukriti’ Drama Festival, Govt Women’s College Thiruvananthapuram; runners up.

9

The members of Arangu also participated in the Kerala University Festival with a skit written

and directed by Shakeela of BCom Department.

Drama Club Activities during the COVID-19 Times

During the COVID-19 lockdown period Drama Club conducted a number of activities online,

reaching out to wider audiences within and outside the college community. The club

members explored and learned the possibilities of the online medium. Under the guidance

of the Drama Club Coordinator and with the help of our Technical Team led by Jobin and

Anandhan of PCA department the students collated news, conducted studies, surveys and

interviews, learned about the changing times and engaged in art . Their works were

published as videos on You Tube. The Videos were first published on TechWorldThink

YouTube channel, the channel of our technical team leader and later published on Drama

Club’s own YouTube channel Arangu Drama Club Gov College Nedumangad. The Club

collaborated with various departments of the college as well as students and faculty from

other institutions.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXCjEOQeYVY6hz2JKcnlPU2HSn7rt4D39

Corona News Bulletins

In the initial stages of the COVID 19 lockdown the studentes collated news from various

parts of the world and presented news bulletins . This was an endeavour not only to know

and present the news but also to learn the nuances of online collaborative work, which was

a new learning experience for our students. Sitting at homes in different parts of

Thiruvanavthapuram District, the club members collected news, edited it and presented

them as confident reporters.

10

Two Corona News Bulletins were published on 4th and 6th of April 2020 on TechWorldThink

and later on Arangu Drama Club Gov College Nedumangad.

https://youtu.be/KyZDcX8rAIO

https://youtu.be/1zRqw-iFoCs

11

Quarantine Stories

After the news bulletins, Drama Club attempted to bring the individual stories of people

locked up in different parts of the world due to the pandemic. Collaborating with the

Department of English extensive interviews were conducted with people (friends and

aquaintances) all around the world and India. The interviews were collated and presented as

Quarantine Stories in two parts. Interviews were conducted with people from Canada,

Australia, Kenya, Kuwait, Dubai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore and different parts of Kerala.

Quarantine Stories Part l was published by Drama club of Govt college Nedumangad Tvm

on April 9 2020 and Quarantine Stories Part 2 was published by Drama club of Government

College Nedumangad, TVM on April 10 2020 on TechWorldThink and later on Arangu

Drama Club Gov College Nedumangad..

https://youtu.be/oK_gvuWSTy0

https://youtu.be/Q8Z4nzp7EIw

https://youtu.be/uPCkh1MgE4Q

12

Corona Survey Report

The Drama Club played a major part in the Corona Survey Report video publishing. The

survey was conducted by the students of the Department of Mathematics as part of their

English Questionnaire Preperation class. It was published as a video by the Drama Club on

April 12, 2020.

https://youtu.be/iKWO_3yledo

13

Pandemics in History

In collaboration with the Depatment of History and the Department of English, the Drama

Club spearheaded a study of the pandemics in the history of human race and the study was

published as an informative video by the students on April 14 2020 .

https://youtu.be/GV03Js4-0Do

14

*Economics in Times of the Pandemic*

Collaborating with the Department of Economics a video study titled Economics in Times of

the Pandemic was published by the Drama Club. This students sought guidance and

participation of faculty of our college and other institutions. The students held interviews

with Dr T.T. Sreekumar, Depatment of Communication EFLU who has a Phd in Economics.

The video also has inputs from Sri Rateesh Krishnan, Asst Professor, Govt College Kalpetta.

It was published on May 9,2019. https://youtu.be/uPCkh1MgE4Q

15

Online Onam Celebrations

The Drama Club conducted an online Onam Celebration named Immini Balya Onam via

Google Meet on 28th August 2020 involving the extended college community during the

lockdown period. It was the first online gathering of the college community together after

the lochdown. Presided over by the jovial ‘Arangu’ Maveli (Midhu Krishnan, Dept of

Economics) the event was inaugurated by the Hon Principal, Dr Saji Stephen. Vice Principal

Dr Alex L, College Chairman Harikrishnan, faculty members Sri Dr R N Anzer, Sri Nandu C J,

Smt Shamli M.M and Sri Dr Vineeth V S extended Onam wishes. Cultural programmes were

conducted by Drama Club members and the audience also joined in the live event. It was

one of the first live online Onam celebrations to be held in the state.

16

“Immini Balya Onam”

17

Seminar and Talk by Dr Raja Varrier

The activities for the academic year was inaugurated by the Hon Principal Dr Saji Stephen

on 13th September 2020. The highlight of the event was the online talk by eminent theatre

personality, Dr Raja Varrier (Director Center For Performing Arts, Kerala University). The

Report of the previous year was presented by Nidhin D ( Depat of Malayalam). The event

was released on YouTube on 13th September on Arangu Drama Club Gov College

Nedumangad YouTube channel. https://youtu.be/KjHpHXFbuVU

18

Friday Online“Vellithira”

On Friday evenings, the members of the Drama Club conduct programmes and discussions

on theatre, art, society and performance. This weekly online gathering provides a venue for

the artistic and creative expressions of the members. Members recite poetry, sing songs,

paint, draw and perform acts.

19

Dramatization of Vayalar’s Thadakayenna Dravida Rajakumari

Paintings and Drawings

20

Online Talks and Seminars

Drama Club has conducted two talks by invited guests as part of a programme aimed at

‘Knowing the Self and the Society’. In the post COVID scenario where the world is a great

state of flux, the talk series aims to aquatint the students with the changes in the society

and culture at large.

#The first talk was by Sri Ajay Das, a student of Geography (Central University, TN) on the

topic JCB and Imperialism. The programme was hosted on Google Meet on ……Members of

the Drama Club also contributed to the discussion that followed. Aravind Krishnan of Dept

of History presented a detailed history of the Earth Moving Machinery and Pooja of the

same department presented a report of the issues related to illegal mining activities. All

members joined in the discussions that followed.

#The second talk was titled Opening Our Minds During the Pandemic: Unlocking the MInds.

The Webinar was hosted on Google meet on 31st Oct 2020, with the participation of the

whole college community. The programme was presided over the Hon Principal Dr Saji

Stephen. The talk was held by Maj.(Dr)Rakesh C Retd, Psychiartist. A surprise sent off gift

was offered to the principal in the form of a live portrait done by the artist of the club

Nandu Lal of Dept of History.

21

Live Portrait gift to Principal by “Arangu” artist Nandu Lal.

22

Performing Poetry

The Drama Club in collaboration with the Department of English conducted a programme

Performing Poetry on 15th February 2021 online, on Google Meet. Prominent theatre

personalities, poets and performers participated in the programme. The programme began

with the filmed dramatization of the poem Thadaka Enna Dravida Rajakumari by the

renowned poet Vayalar Ramavarma. Dr Manju R, HoD Department of English accorded

welcome. The Inauguration was done by the principal Dr V S Joy by planting a tree in the

memory of the late nature poet Sugatha Kumari with her poem recited in the background by

Gowri of Second Year BCom. Dr Raja Warrier (Director Center For Performing Arts, Kerala

University) and Dr Usha Raja Warrier (Associate Professor, Department of Sanskrit, Kerala

University) delivered talks on the performativity of poetry. Talks and performances of

poetry were delivered by Dr Hareesh Sakhtidharan (poet and scholar), Dr Shamli M M

(Associate Professor, Department of Hindi, Govt Colllege Nedumangad), Dr Jinju S (Poet and

Assistant Professor, Govt Polytechnisc College Nedumangad) and Sri Akhliesh Udayabhanu

(Poet and Scholar). Our students Akshakmon of Second Year History, Gowri of Second Year

BCom, Aswin of Second Year Malayalam and Aparna of Second Year BCom also performed

poetry. Smt Asha C (Drama Club Coordinator and Asst Professor Dept of English) delivered

the vote of thanks.The programme was attended by the whole college community and saw

vibrant participation.

23

24

Staging of the Drama A Marriage Proposal by Anton Chekov

Collaborating in the English Department project of staging Anton Chekov’s one act play A

Marriage Proposal, Drama Club members actively participated in all aspects of the staging.

After a spate of online programmes this was the first major live programme since the

COVID19 lockdown. Multiple staging of the play was held by various departments under the

direction of Drama Club Coordinator, Smt Asha C. Departments of BCom and History

performed before a select audience in the college seminar hall on 5th March 2021. Further

staging by departments of Economics, Malayalam and Maths are to held on 9th March 2021.

25

Nedumangad Asha C

7/3/2021 Drama Club Coordinator

26